Snap mechanism for use with an electrical switch, valve or the like

ABSTRACT

1. Electrical snap switch with a spring in the form of a closed loop freely located within the body. 2. Snap mechanism electrical and fluid, with a memory; consisting of a body, terminals, pusher operator and a cup-shaped snapping member which has at least two relaxed positions substantially different from each other.

United States Patent [111 3,609,266

[72] Inventor Ell Raitport 2,618,715 11/1952 Cataldo 1. ZOO/76 1807Mower St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19152 2,755,352 7/1956 Birkemeier. 200/67DB [21] Appl. No. 821,547 2,798,130 7/1957 Cox ZOO/83.2 [22] Filed Apr.18, 1969 I 2,927,185 3/1960 Bonnaire 200/166 CT [45] Patented Sept. 28,1971 3,133,170 5/1964 Nanninga 200/67 DB 3,242,282 3/1966 Suzuki 200/763,261,932 7/1966 Shlesinger 200/166 81-1 SNAP MECHANISM FOR USE WITH AN3,488,460 1 1 970 Baumanis 200/159 ELECTRICAL SWITCH, VALVE OR THE LIKE9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs Prir nary EXdmlllfF-ROlJfilt S. MaconAssistant Examiner-William J. Smith (52] U.S. Cl 200/67, 200/153,200/159 {51] Int. Cl H0lb 3/12 [50] Field of Search 200/67 DB, ABSTRACT;L E|ecmca| Snap switch with a Spring in the 7 159 153-9 BC, 83-2, formofa closed loop freely located within the body.

2, Snap mechanism electrical and fluid, with a memory;

[ References Cied consisting of a body, terminals, pusher operator and acup- UNITED STATES PATENTS shaped snapping member which has at least tworelaxed posi- 2,573,453 10/1951 Knos 200/166 BH tions substantiallydifferent from each other.

l8 l 7 1% l4 "7 E .4,70. 5",. .5a 43 Q I; a f i it 3% i SNAP MECHANISMFOR USE WITH AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH, VALVE OR THE LIKE The purpose of thisinvention is to introduce construction of switch mechanism adaptable forfully automated assembly. The prime criteria for that is to have fewerparts in a switch, not more than five; also the parts would fit one intothe other in such a way that all parts could be fed in one direction.Furthermore, each subsequent part should be self-retainable (i.e.without any fasteners) in the part in which it fits.

Another objective of this invention is that said construction withessentially same parts would be adaptable for multicircuit switches anddouble-throw switches as well, in order to assure flexibility for anautomatic assembly machine.

A further objective of this invention is to provide a uniform design ofa circuit maker-breaker readily adaptable to a large variety of sizes.This will considerably reduce the cost of training personnel formanufacturing and for maintenance as well.

Another objective of this invention is to eliminate requirement for aclose fit between the parts of the switch. This facilitatesconsiderably, automatic assembly and reduces the manufacturing cost ofthe parts as well.

Another objective of this invention is to reduce the cost of switchwiring, improve the quality and safety of contacts, i.e. reduce amountof electrical resistance by eliminating or reducing probability forforeign matters; reduce or eliminate probability for loosening contactsdue to vibration; reduce magnetic field in the area of terminals.

Another objective of this invention is to facilitate futureminiaturization of switches.

On the attached drawings, three versions of switches are represented. Inall these switches the circuit is performed through axial depression,however, a toggle or rocking actuator could be adapted as well.

FIG. 2 represents a sectional view of a double-throw pole switchpush-push button switch, each push will reverse the throw and retain thecircuit until the next depression.

FIG. 1 represents section 11 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 represents section view of3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 represents top view of a safety circuit breaker utilizingherewith invented switch.

FIG. 5 is sectional view 55 of FIG. 4.

F IG. 6 represents FIG. 2 with throw reversed position;

FIG. 7 demonstrates enlarged top view of stationary contacts 5 and 50.

FIG. 8 represents a single throw, single pole, momentary contact switchin an elongated shape and biased position.

FIG. 9 represents same switch as FIG. 8 in actuated positron.

FIG. 10 an 11 represents a modified loop bridge for use in switches ofFIG. 8.

This switch consists (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 6) of body 1 molded fromplastic with tubular thin-walled electroconductive inserts 2, 2a, 3, 3a,4, 4a, and 42, 42a (not shown). These inserts represent the terminals.They are upset at the ends (in process of molding, as will be explainedin another disclosure) to make stationary contacts 6, 6a, 5, 5a, 41 and41a (and 2 more are not shown).

Moveable contact l3, l4, I5, 16 are fastened perpendicularly to a stem12 which is integrally molded with cup 18 from a suitable semirigidmaterial. Said cup has a parabolical bottom 17; from its center stem 12projects on one side, and stem 19 on the other. It is understood thatseveral more contact could be mounted to the same stem.

The contacts may be fastened to the stem 12 by insertion into the moldwhile molding or pressed on after molding. In event of larger sizedcircuit breakers, it would be desireable to make cup 18 from metal. Itcould be done inexpensively by either process drawing or spinning. Insuch event stems I2 and 19 would be either riveted, screwed or pressedinto 17.

Cover 10 could be either molded from a plastic or progressively formedfrom metal in event good heat transfer properties are preferred for thiscover.

In said cover 10, two projections 11 and Ila are formed (molded). Theseprojections fit into cavities 7 and 7a respectively to bind allaforesaid parts into an integral mechanism.

Cavities 7 and 7a are longer than projection 11 and Ila, therefore, 10is able to slide reciprocally in relation to body 1.

Operation of the mechanism is as follows; In FIG. 2, moveable contact 13is bridging stationary contacts 5 and 5a and moveable contact 14 isbridging two other contacts (not shown). Contacts 6 and 41, 6a and 41aare open. Depressing 10 vertically, the latter will slide down relativeto the body 1 and force down stem 19 which in turn will forceparabolical shape 17 to pivot on its support points 8, simultaneouslywalls of cup 18 will rise toward 10. During such operation, 17 will becompressed and cause energy to store.

At the moment, junction line 20 will pass the level of 8, then 12, 17and 19 will move down at increased speed, being forced by accumulatedenergy in 17.

So, the switch mechanism will take the position as shown in FIG. 6, inwhich contact 5 and 5a and two others (not shown) are open; contacts 6and 41, 6a and 41a are bridged by moveable contact 16.

In order to reverse the throw, 10 would be depressed in same manner asbefore, however, now top of 10 would be forcing down circumference 18rather than stem 19. Seventeen will pivot again or reaction points 8,however, in the opposite direction so the throw would be reversed.

Contacts 5 and 5a are not flush with the inner walls of 1, but ratherdepressed forming cavities 9 and 9a (FIG. 6) in which two ends ofcontact 13 intrudes (FIG. 2). Thus the stationary contacts 5 and 5aencircles the moveable contact from three sides, making a betterconduction; simultaneously this creates additional snap action in theswitch as follows; when the stem 12 is forced down, the ends of contact13 are forced to deflect about its junction points with 12, beingsupported at points 43. In turn, uprights of contact 13 are biased topivot at the point 43. Consequently, instantly as pressure is applied tocover 10, contact 13 changes its form from this. shown in FIG. 2 to theform shown in FIG. 6, thus separating from 5 and 5a and preventingarcing.

Other contacts are shown to be flush with the inner walls of body 1. Inmost cases this might be satisfactory since adequate snap action can bedesigned into parabolical member 17, also wiping action of the contactsmake good conductors.

FIGS. 4 and 5 demonstrate a switch of similar construction as it is usedfor safety circuit breaker or thermostat switch. It consists of body 21with two stationary contacts 25 and 25a. formed at the ends of tenninals22 and 22a. Stem 32 carries moveable contacts 33 shaped into a cup, soit will bridge all stationary contacts located in the innercircumference of the body 1. The stems 32 and 39 are fastened toparabolical bottom 37 of cup 28. Cover projections 31 intrude intocavities 27 in order to retain the assembly. Note, 30 is not slidable inthis case. The actuation is as follows; Stem 39 is made of athermoexpanding material and construction, perhaps aluminum wire wouldin a coil. 39 is subjected to sense the temperature of the line,appliance, equipment or whatever it is. When 39 expands, it depresses 37which pivots on rim 38 and forces contacts 33 out of engagement with 25and 25a; identical to the procedure aforedescribed.

However, in this case, stem 32 moving downward will compress spring 24.The potential energy of the spring 24 will raise the stem 32 upwards;however, should the expanded length of 39 prevent 40 to pass line 38,then said 39 will force 32 downward by its potential energy; and so onagain. consequently, contact 33 will oscillate below the contacts 25 and250 until the temperature will drop. Then line 40 would be able to passline 38 and that would snap the contacts into bridging.

The described invention is readily adaptable to a momentary contactswitch. All that is required to block the travel of 17 beyond the line8; because until this happens, I7 is biased to its original position.

The switch in FIG. 8 consists of body (or lower housing) 51 molded froma suitable plastic with inserts 52, 53 and 54 which represents theterminals. The ends of these terminals molded into the body are exposedin cavities 63, 64 and 68 of the body 51. These exposed portions of saidterminals represent the stationary contacts 65, 65a, 66 (not shown),66a.

A strip of spring material, perhaps plated with silver, is formed intoloop 57. The actuator 56 is resting on loop 57, upper housing isfastened firmly to body 51 and so the switch is retained.

in relaxed position U-shaped tongue 59 of loop 57 is biased into cavity68 and it bridges stationary contact 66 (not shown) and 66a.

when the actuator 56 is depressed, applied force is transferred to 62.Then one half of applied force is transferred to each upright 60 and 61,forcing semiloops 58 and 58 a into cavities 63 and 64 respectively. Thensemiloops 58 and 58a pull from the middle of the loop, namely tongue 59over the projections 67 and 67a in order to get enough material to formthe shape of 58 and 58a. Consequently, the switch takes the position asshown in H6. 9 where the contact 66 (not shown) and 660 are open, andcontacts 65 and 65a are bridged by the same loop 57. When pressure onthe actuator 56 is released, the loop 57 is biased to take its originalform and that means the throw is reversed back.

FIG. 10 illustrates top view of herewith innovated terminals withoutinsulation, inserted in an insulation board; FIG. 11 is an elevationview of FIG. 10; FIG. 12 illustrates a cut away section of an insulatedterminal.

Those new terminals are fabricated from continuous shapes, round or ovaltube or channel extruded from soft metal. The bottom of the terminalsare inserted into the bases by any suitable means.

in the event of terminal boards for switches, end of this tube(channels) 74 protruding on the other side of bases 71 and flattened toprovide contact points.

In the event of terminal boards for panels, above said end would bejoined together and squeezed to provide a circuit bridge.

The upper end of the terminal 73 remains open to accept wire. The wireis simple pronged into the terminal, then the terminal is crimped makingcontact with the wire over a relatively long area.

The protruding portion of the tube (channel) terminal 72 might becovered with a insulating material 75 in order to reduce magnetic field.This insulation can be readily molded onto the terminals simultaneouslywhile manufacturing the concerned assembly as per invention entitledProcess for Making Terminals....." or deposited on the tube (channel)terminal subsequent to the extrusion.

it is to be understood that subjected invention is not limited to abovedescription. Many variations of mechanism could be produced utilizingthe same basic invention. Above description is only an example of thealmost unlimited applications for this invention.

l request a Letter of Patent to cover the following:

l. A double-acting sharp snap mechanism for use with an electricalswitch, valve or the like, comprising a body, a telescoping coverslideably attached to the body with a cupshaped resilient springfloatably placed into said body and retained within said cover, saidresilient spring reversing from concave to convex position and viceversa upon successive depressions of said telescoping cover toward saidbody said cup-shaped resilient concaveconvex member consisting of adiaphragm outwardly extended walls at least in a portion periphery ofsaid diaphragm.

2. A snap mechanism ad defined in claim 1, further com prising aprojection in a peripheral path extending from said body, saidcup-shaped resilient spring member resting on said projection, saidprojection being located inwardly of the extreme periphery of saidcup-shaped member wherein the bottom of said member pivots about saidprojection and wherein the outwardly projecting walls of said memberslidably move when actuated by depression of said telescoping cover.

3. A snap mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stemprotruding from the center of said cup-shaped member, said stem beingfirmly and resiliently attached to said member wherein said te escopingcover intermittently engages either the walls of said member or saidstem upon actuation of said snap mechanism.

4. A snap mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising stationarycontacts, a stem attached to said member, said stem carrying movablecontacts for bridging a circuit, said stem sliding within said body ofsaid mechanism and causing said movable contacts to wipe" saidstationary contacts.

5. A snap mechanism as defined in claim I, further comprising a terminalwith U-shaped contact portion, said portion being located within thebody of said mechanism and representing a contact of a switch saidportion embracing the mating contact from two or more sides.

6. An electrical switch with one biased position comprising a body withinserted stationary contacts, an actuator, and a spring member locatedwithin said body consisting of a metal wire formed into a closed loop ofgenerally rectangular form.

7. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6 further comprising one ormore generally U-shaped tongues projecting outwardly from said closedloop.

8. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6 further comprising two ormore projects extending inwardly from said body and thrusting towardsaid loop, said projections causing said loop to undergo elasticdeformation and therefore store energy and snap into a relativelyrelaxed position.

9. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6, further comprising aterminal with a U-shaped contact portion, said portion being locatedwithing said body and representing a contact of said switch, saidportion embracing the mating contact from two or more sides.

1. A double-acting snap mechanism for use with an electrical switch,valve or the like, comprising a body, a telescoping cover slideablyattached to the body with a cup-shaped resilient spring floatably placedinto said body and retained within said cover, said resilient springreversing from concave to convex position and vice versa upon successivedepressions of said telescoping cover toward said body, said cup-shapedresilient concave-convex member consisting of a diaphragm and outwardlyextended walls at least in a portion of periphery of said diaphragm. 2.A snap mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising a projectionin a peripheral path extending from said body, said cup-shaped resilientspring member resting on said projection, said projection being locatedinwardly of the extreme periphery of said cup-shaped member wherein thebottom of said member pivots about said projection and wherein theoutwardly projecting walls of said member slidably move when actuated bydepression of said telescoping cover.
 3. A snap mechanism as defined inclaim 1, further comprising a stem protruding from the center of saidcup-shaped member, said stem being firmly and resiliently attached tosaid member wherein said telescoping cover intermittently engages eitherthe walls of said member or said stem upon actuation of said snapmechanism.
 4. A snap mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprisingstationary contacts, a stem attached to said member, said stem carryingmovable contacts for bridging a circuit, said stem sliding within saidbody of said mechanism and causing said movable contacts to ''''wipe'''' said stationary contacts.
 5. A snap mechanism as defined inclaim 1, further comprising a terminal with U-shaped contact portion,said portion being located within the body of said mechanism andrepresenting a contact of a switch, said portion embracing the matingcontact from two or more sides.
 6. An electrical switch with one biasedposition comprising a body with inserted stationary contacts, anactuator, and a spring member located within said body consisting of ametal wire formed into a closed loop of generally rectangular form. 7.An electrical switch as defined in claim 6 further comprising one ormore generally U-shaped tongues projecting outwardly from said closedloop.
 8. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6 further comprisingtwo or more projections extending inwardly from said body and thrustingtoward said loop, said projections causing said loop to undergo elasticdeformation and therefore store energy and snap into a relativelyrelaxed position.
 9. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6, furthercomprising a terminal with a U-shaped contact portion, said portionbeing located within said body and representing a contact of saidswitch, said portion embracing the mating contact from two or moresides.